Some More Susceptible to Staph Infections

LANSING, Mich. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a deadly staph infection.

Researchers from Michigan State University tested 250 people who suffered from an invasive Staphylococcus aureus, or “staph”, infection. Results show patients on hemodialysis are 257-times more likely to contract the infection. Others at risk include those infected with HIV, organ transplant recipients, and cancer patients.

Researchers also found elderly patients, as well as those with hypertension, renal failure, and diabetes, are more likely to die from a staph infection.

This was the first time a study was able to accurately identify exactly who is at risk for developing staph infections. H. Dele Davies, chairperson of MSU’s Department of Pediatrics, says doctors are now able to target these individuals for treatment and therapy.

Davies says, “Prevention is key, of course, but so is recognition by physicians -- knowing who is at risk and how to handle these patients.”

Staph infections are very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 2 million hospital patients in the United States contract an infection every year.

Health care professionals take a culture from an infected site to determine if it is a staph infection. Once it has been diagnosed as staph, antibiotics are prescribed to target the bacteria. These antibiotics typically kill the infection within a week or two. However, some patients resist the antibiotics.

A vaccine for staph is now being tested. Davies says the study he participated in is important because it helps doctors determine who should be vaccinated.

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SOURCE: Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2003;187:1452-1459